An animal raised to produce food or kept as a pet, and one that is tamed is per definition domesticated [1][2]. A wild animal is one that lives in its natural habitat and is independent of humans [3]. A domesticated animal can also refer to an animal that has been bred in captivity and are accustomed to being kept by humans [7]. Changes in climate and the advent of agriculture, spurred by humans being more locally dispersed, gradually led to the domestication of animals [7].
Domestication has played a pivotal role in the development of the world [4]. Since the advent of agriculture the human population has been able to grow from an estimated 6 million to 7 seven billion [4]. Exactly how the domestication of different species has occurred is debated [4]. It is suggested that domestication of animals should only refer to the original process of when the animal species were gradually led to become domesticated, either with or without human intervention [4].
Relation to SDG
An estimated 30 to 40 percent of the agricultural sectors value is provided by domesticated animals [8]. Roughly one third of the world’s population depend on domesticated animals for their livelihoods [8]. As a whole, livestock supply chains account for 14.5 percent of all human-induced emissions [10]. Methane gas is the most prevalent of emissions caused by livestock, with nitrious oxide and carbon dioxide sharing second and third place [10]. Within the livestock sector, cattle is the biggest contributor to emissions, with a 65 percent share [10]. Poultry, pigs, buffaloes and small ruminants each contribute with an estimated 7 to 10 percent of sector specific emissions [10]. From a supply chain point of view, producing, processing and transporting the feed accounts for 45 percent of emissions [10]. Ruminants (cattle, buffaloes, small ruminants) contribute to roughly 40 percent of total green house gas emissions due to enteric fermentation, the digestive process of ruminants [10]. Other substantial contributors include emissions caused by manure management, and direct or indirect energy consumption in relation to livestock supply chains [10].
Included in SDG 2 is a target that emphasizes the importance of genetic diversity of domesticated animals [5]. There is a growing demand for animal-based food products, especially in regions where resources are lacking [6][8]. Growing demand and lacking resources stress the importance of genetic diversity of livestock [6]. Genetic diversity is a prerequisite for the livestock to flourish in changing conditions [6]. There is a continuous decline in domesticated breeds [6][8]. Of the world’s livestock breeds an estimated 17 percent is now facing extinction [6]. However, the data is lacking and the figure is assumed to be an underestimate, as the status of 58 percent remains unclear [6]. Some reports claim that one third of livestock breeds are facing extinction [8].
The largest contributor to the extinction of breeds and lack of genetic diversity is the export of animals from developed countries to developing countries [8]. These animals are often ill-suited for the challenging conditions, but often preferred by the locals due to their higher output [8]. This development is problematic as developing countries have a greater diversity of breeds to begin with, coupled with more challenging conditions [9]. This genetic diversity should further be encouraged as varied breeds give farmers the option of developing new breeds when faced by changes in the environment, the markets, nutrition requirements, and disease [9].
Katriina Soini is a researcher at the Natural Resources Institute Finland. In the interview below she talks about the genetic diversity of farm animals and how this diversity can be preserved.
[6] FAO (2015). The Second Report on the State of the World’sAnimal Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture (in brief). Accessible: http://www.fao.org/3/a-i5077e.pdf Retrieved 22.2.2017.
[7] FAO (2015). The Second Report on the State of the World’sAnimal Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture. Accessible: http://www.fao.org/3/a-i4787e.pdf Retrieved 22.2.2017.
[10] FAO (2013). Tackling Climate Change Through Livestock: A Global Assessment of Emissions and Mitigation Opportunities. Accessible: http://www.fao.org/docrep/018/i3437e/i3437e.pdf Retrieved 1.3.2017.
An animal raised to produce food or kept as a pet, and one that is tamed is per definition domesticated [1][2]. A wild animal is one that lives in its natural habitat and is independent of humans [3]. A domesticated animal can also refer to an animal that has been bred in captivity and are accustomed to being kept by humans [7]. Changes in climate and the advent of agriculture, spurred by humans being more locally dispersed, gradually led to the domestication of animals [7].
Domestication has played a pivotal role in the development of the world [4]. Since the advent of agriculture the human population has been able to grow from an estimated 6 million to 7 seven billion [4]. Exactly how the domestication of different species has occurred is debated [4]. It is suggested that domestication of animals should only refer to the original process of when the animal species were gradually led to become domesticated, either with or without human intervention [4].
Relation to SDG
An estimated 30 to 40 percent of the agricultural sectors value is provided by domesticated animals [8]. Roughly one third of the world’s population depend on domesticated animals for their livelihoods [8]. As a whole, livestock supply chains account for 14.5 percent of all human-induced emissions [10]. Methane gas is the most prevalent of emissions caused by livestock, with nitrious oxide and carbon dioxide sharing second and third place [10]. Within the livestock sector, cattle is the biggest contributor to emissions, with a 65 percent share [10]. Poultry, pigs, buffaloes and small ruminants each contribute with an estimated 7 to 10 percent of sector specific emissions [10]. From a supply chain point of view, producing, processing and transporting the feed accounts for 45 percent of emissions [10]. Ruminants (cattle, buffaloes, small ruminants) contribute to roughly 40 percent of total green house gas emissions due to enteric fermentation, the digestive process of ruminants [10]. Other substantial contributors include emissions caused by manure management, and direct or indirect energy consumption in relation to livestock supply chains [10].
Included in SDG 2 is a target that emphasizes the importance of genetic diversity of domesticated animals [5]. There is a growing demand for animal-based food products, especially in regions where resources are lacking [6][8]. Growing demand and lacking resources stress the importance of genetic diversity of livestock [6]. Genetic diversity is a prerequisite for the livestock to flourish in changing conditions [6]. There is a continuous decline in domesticated breeds [6][8]. Of the world’s livestock breeds an estimated 17 percent is now facing extinction [6]. However, the data is lacking and the figure is assumed to be an underestimate, as the status of 58 percent remains unclear [6]. Some reports claim that one third of livestock breeds are facing extinction [8].
The largest contributor to the extinction of breeds and lack of genetic diversity is the export of animals from developed countries to developing countries [8]. These animals are often ill-suited for the challenging conditions, but often preferred by the locals due to their higher output [8]. This development is problematic as developing countries have a greater diversity of breeds to begin with, coupled with more challenging conditions [9]. This genetic diversity should further be encouraged as varied breeds give farmers the option of developing new breeds when faced by changes in the environment, the markets, nutrition requirements, and disease [9].
Katriina Soini is a researcher at the Natural Resources Institute Finland. In the interview below she talks about the genetic diversity of farm animals and how this diversity can be preserved.
[1] Cambridge Dictionary (2017). Domestic animal. Accessible: http://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/domestic-animal Retrieved 22.2.2017.
[2] Oxford Dictionaries (2017). Domesticate. Accessible:
https://en.oxforddictionaries.com/definition/domesticate Retrieved 22.2.2017.
[3] Oxford Dictionaries (2017). Wild. Accessible: https://en.oxforddictionaries.com/definition/wild Retrieved 22.2.2017.
[4] Larson, G. & Burger, J. (2013). A population genetics view of animal domestication. Trends in Genetics, vol. 29 no. 4. Accessible:
http://www.palaeobarn.com/sites/domestication.org.uk/files/downloads/98.pdf Retrieved 22.2.2017.
[5] UN-DSA/DSD (2014). SDG 2: End hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition, and promote sustainable agriculture. Accessible:
https://sustainabledevelopment.un.org/?page=view&nr=164&type=230&menu=2059 Retrieved 22.2.2017.
[6] FAO (2015). The Second Report on the State of the World’s Animal Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture (in brief). Accessible: http://www.fao.org/3/a-i5077e.pdf Retrieved 22.2.2017.
[7] FAO (2015). The Second Report on the State of the World’s Animal Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture. Accessible: http://www.fao.org/3/a-i4787e.pdf Retrieved 22.2.2017.
[8] FAO (2000). One third of farm animal breeds face extinction. Accessible: http://www.fao.org/News/2000/001201-e.htm Retrieved 22.2.2017.
[9] FAO. Agrobiodiversity: the case for conserving domestic and related animals. Accessible: http://www.fao.org/docrep/v1650t/v1650t0y.htm Retrieved 22.2.2017.
[10] FAO (2013). Tackling Climate Change Through Livestock: A Global Assessment of Emissions and Mitigation Opportunities. Accessible:
http://www.fao.org/docrep/018/i3437e/i3437e.pdf Retrieved 1.3.2017.